Senate Republicans Rally Behind USMCA as Trump's Support Wavers

GOP senators voice strong support for continuing the North American trade deal, even as Trump raises doubts about renewing it.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Senate Finance Committee Republicans expressed firm backing for extending the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) trade deal, even as President Donald Trump has raised concerns about whether his administration will support renewing the nearly 6-year-old pact. Committee Chair Mike Crapo and other GOP senators underscored the importance of the trilateral North American trade relationship and urged a "timely conclusion" to the USMCA review process.

Why it matters

The USMCA, which replaced NAFTA, is a critical trade agreement for the U.S. economy, particularly the agricultural and manufacturing sectors that rely heavily on exports to Canada and Mexico. Trump's wavering support for renewing the deal has raised uncertainty about the future of North American trade, which could negatively impact businesses and communities across the country.

The details

At a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Republicans voiced strong bipartisan support for extending the USMCA for another 16 years when the current deal comes up for review in July. Committee Chair Mike Crapo said public comments showed "widespread support" from businesses and farmers for continuing the agreement. Other GOP senators, including Roger Marshall and Steve Daines, echoed that view and warned of the economic costs if the U.S. withdrew from the pact. However, Trump has recently cast doubt on whether his administration will back an extension, saying it was "irrelevant" to him whether the U.S. stayed in the deal.

  • The USMCA trade deal was negotiated and passed during Trump's first term.
  • The three USMCA countries must decide by July 1, 2026 whether to renew the deal for another 16 years.
  • If the deal is not renewed, it is expected to continue until it terminates in 2036.

The players

Mike Crapo

Republican senator from Idaho and chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

Donald Trump

Former U.S. president who negotiated the USMCA trade deal to replace NAFTA, but has recently raised doubts about renewing the agreement.

Roger Marshall

Republican senator from Kansas.

Steve Daines

Republican senator from Montana.

Kevin Brady

Former Republican congressman from Texas and co-chair of a tri-national pro-USMCA business coalition.

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What they’re saying

“This trilateral relationship should not be taken for granted.”

— Mike Crapo, Senate Finance Committee Chair (Politico)

“In my humble opinion, the USMCA trade agreement has been the most important, the most successful trade agreement of my lifetime.”

— Roger Marshall, U.S. Senator (Politico)

“I think that uncertainty couldn't come at a worse time. I think it would lower the economic value of that agreement, certainly to America. Right now, this agreement is working for the U.S., Mexico and Canada, because it incentivizes long-term investment in North America. That's what's driving the jobs, certainly driving competitiveness.”

— Kevin Brady, Former House Ways and Means Chair (Politico)

“If we were to lose this agreement, it would be devastating to our rural communities.”

— Ted Vander Schaaf, Idaho dairy farmer (Politico)

What’s next

The three USMCA countries must decide by July 1, 2026 whether to renew the deal for another 16 years. If they do not renew it, the agreement is expected to continue until it terminates in 2036.

The takeaway

The strong bipartisan support in the Senate for extending the USMCA trade deal underscores its importance to the U.S. economy, particularly for key industries like agriculture and manufacturing that rely heavily on exports to Canada and Mexico. However, the uncertainty created by Trump's wavering support for renewing the agreement could negatively impact businesses and communities across the country if it is not resolved in a timely manner.